Fan Christina Linn, left, rocks with Heart at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. The classic rock band is still going strong after four decades in the business.

Fan Christina Linn, left, rocks with Heart at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. The classic rock band is still going strong after four decades in the business.

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Shari Bingham and her mother Tracy Shrieve

Shari Bingham and her mother Tracy Shrieve

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Fans Caroline Cully, left, and Jennifer Lopardo

Fans Caroline Cully, left, and Jennifer Lopardo

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Tiffany Lee and Audie Baca

Tiffany Lee and Audie Baca

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Shawn Baca, left, Curtis Lee and Collin Baca

Shawn Baca, left, Curtis Lee and Collin Baca

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Gary Williams and his daughter Ariane Williams

Gary Williams and his daughter Ariane Williams

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Viglu Aranda, left, and Ralph Villarreal

Viglu Aranda, left, and Ralph Villarreal

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Charlie Dillard, left, Robin Sawyer and Bryan Frenchak

Charlie Dillard, left, Robin Sawyer and Bryan Frenchak

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson

Heart guitarist Nancy Wilson

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Wilson

Wilson

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Wilson

Wilson

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Heart Lead singer Ann Wilson

Heart Lead singer Ann Wilson

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Nancy Wilson

Nancy Wilson

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Ann Wilson

Ann Wilson

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Ann Wilson

Ann Wilson

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Ann Wilson

Ann Wilson

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Fans groove to Heart

Fans groove to Heart

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Lead singer Ann Wilson, right, and guitarist Nancy Wilson

Lead singer Ann Wilson, right, and guitarist Nancy Wilson

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Heart

Heart

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Jason Bonham

Jason Bonham

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Jason Bonham, son of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, performs. Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin opened for Heart.

Jason Bonham, son of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, performs. Jason Bonham's Led Zeppelin opened for Heart.

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Led Zeppelin Experience

Led Zeppelin Experience

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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James Dylan

James Dylan

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Jason Bonham

Jason Bonham

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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James Dylan, singer for Led Zeppelin Experience

James Dylan, singer for Led Zeppelin Experience

Photo: Johnny Hanson / Houston Chronicle

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Heart rocks classic hits, Zeppelin covers at Woodlands

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It’s pure coincidence that Heart played the Woodlands Pavilion the same week Katy Perry and Lady Gaga released new singles. But current pop tarts owe a huge debt of gratitude to Ann and Nancy Wilson.

The first sisters of rock became legends in a genre that is still male-dominated and managed several pop crossovers in the process — all without cotton candy wigs, meat dresses or meticulous self-awareness. That they’re still able to draw a healthy weekday crowd is no small feat.

The snarling “Barracuda” set a fierce tone and was followed by the soaring ’70s groove of “Heartless.” Ann’s voice still towers over every song, and they were backed by a fiery band.

Jason Bonham, son of late Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, opened the show with a searing tribute to his father’s band. He later joined Heart for a Zeppelin tribute that closed with the same majestic version of “Stairway to Heaven” they performed at the Kennedy Center Honors.

The sisters led the crowd through rousing power ballad “What About Love” and the sultry call of “Magic Man.” They also went beyond the obvious hits, charging through “Kick It Out,” “Mistral Wind” and “Even It Up.”

Ann offered a lovely reading of “Dog & Butterfly,” and Nancy put in time behind the microphone during a sweet cover of Elton John’s “I Need You to Turn To” and ’80s classic “These Dreams.”

The only (slight) misstep was the dreary, downtempo rendition of “Alone” the group has been playing for years. It just doesn’t compare to the regal kick of the original version.

The set’s only new song, “Dear Old America,” was another standout, a wailing ode to military families. And there’s no denying the psychedelic punch of “Crazy On You.”

“Here we are, good ol’ Heart, still coming to see you,” Ann told the crowd. With any luck, the band will return to rock faces for years to come.